Random Warm Fuzzies and Meetings

Wow, a bunch of you are really lurkers. If you scroll down just a little ways, you will see that my last post got zero comments, making me feel as if I wasn't read at all, but it seems that everyone knew my situation at Church when I missed class. Thank you for reading, even if you are awfully quiet.

I really did feel your prayers, by the way. Friday was horiffic, as I spent most of my time either asleep or in agony. By Friday night, however, I became convinced that I wouldn't die. Saturday wasn't wonderful, but it was a tip toe through tulips compared to Friday. Slowly on Sunday, I began to feel like the human I should be. I'm still sniffling and have a scratchy throat, but I really feel like your prayers went a long way in getting me up and on my feet.

Ironically, it was in your midst that I felt myself climbing over the hump. There was a specific moment at the Fall Festival (I think it was about the 36th time Maggie Dye got in line to bob for apples [okay, by that time, it was bobbing for whatever candy would float]) that I smiled at how cute the kids were and suddenly realized that I was lost in the rush of others happiness. I hadn't thought about how sick I was for more than an hour. I hate to steal from Wade, but it is amazing how focusing on others helps us to overcome our own self focus.

Sunday is going to be busy. Eric and I are teaching this Sunday morning on how to use technology for evangelism (Read: Eric is teaching on this while I will make a couple of comments about post modernity). In between class and church service, there is a quick leadership meeting. Immediately after church service, there is a quick nursury meeting. Immediately after church service (but hopefully not as immediately as the nursury meeting) there is a not at all quick adult education meeting. It is certainly a good thing that I draw so much strength and happiness from all of you, because I'm certainly going to be seeing a lot of you this Sunday.

I want to be great

I'll make this short because the rain is already making my kids squirrelly, and the last thing they need is an unattentive teacher. I slept fitfully last night, kept awake by a barely tangible sense of dissatisfaction. When I was a kid, I dreamt of great things. I was going to be a professional wrestler, super hero, and the president of the United States. As I have grown, my dreams have become more commonplace, less grandiose, but I still don't feel like I've accomplished these goals. I want to be great:

1. I want to be a great husband- I haven't loved Jennifer selflessly enough. I haven't thought about making her life easier, even if it causes me inconvenience. I don't help out enough around the house.
   
2. I want to be a great son- My family doesn't get along. I haven't called my parents "just because" in too long. I haven't prayed for reconcilliation in my family.
   
3. I want to be a great friend- I haven't loved you all deeply enough. I haven't opened myself, risking ridicule, so that you can see the real me, giving you permission to show me the real you.
   
4. I want to be a great teacher- I don't plan ahead well enough. I don't come up with engaging lessons that inspire my apathetic students. I should be smarter and use big words in common conversation to demonstrate to the students the power of language.
   
5. I want to be a great Christian- I get angry. I get frustrated. I'm materialistic. I lust. I don't pray or read my Bible nearly enough. I'm too opaque. People see me and not Christ in me.
   
   There is no punch line here. Just a quick look into my head (at least where it is right now). Sorry it doesn't come with a better view.